Eating fast food often will cause health problems. It can cause diabetes, lead to obesity, cause excess energy and weight, and can contribute to depression. Fast food is tasty, but it is not all that healthy for you. It should be limited because it has too many negative effects on the body and mind. Many people eat fast food and it is leading to the United States being a more obese nation. People rely on fast food more often now because it is easier to obtain and the name itself gives it away, it’s fast food for a reason. If fast food were less obtainable, the United states would have a reduced obesity percentage.
Fast food and obesity go hand in hand because it is loaded with carbs and calories. Abuse of fast food restaurants will cause you to become obese because you will be taking in more calories than your body will be able to burn off. When you become obese you are limited to movement and limited to do things. For example, you will not be able to get on roller coaster rides because you will be considered too big to get on certain rides due to you being overweight. According to Livestrong.com, “The Office of the Surgeon General reports that obesity increases the risk for potentially fatal heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, as well as sleep apnea and asthma. Health problems such as arthritis and pregnancy complications are also more likely in obese individuals” (Livestrong). This clearly tells you that your body is not made to be fed all this food that is extremely detrimental to your health. There are many problems that can be caused to overeating fast food. It has become a ritual to many people to get fast food after certain events which include, after church, after sporting events, after a movie, and after a night out with friends. Fast food has a negative effect on your body aside from obesity, it can also cause depression.
Depression is also a thing that should be looked at because it is also caused by overeating fast food. As it is stated on Cambridge Core, “After a median follow-up of 6·2 years, 493 cases of depression were reported. A higher risk of depression was associated with consumption of fast food” (Cambridge Core). When you become depressed, you become lazy and become a lifeless person. You will resort to eating food because it makes you feel better for a minimal amount of time but after that you will resort back to eating. When you become depressed, it does not just affect the body, you will have constant fatigue, muscle aches, back pain, and have bad sleeping habits. Being depressed is bad for your mental health as well because it will affect your relationships around you. Depression is also one of the main causes for suicide as well. Overeating fast food can lead to depression, which will then lead to suicide, and suicidal thoughts will eventually lead to suicide. Suicide takes a toll on the whole family because the family as a whole will feel guilty for not doing something about it. Many people who resort get bullied will resort to eating. Those are usually children when they are younger, being made fun of the way they look and how they are will cause kids to go home and eat their feelings out. In cases like this, children should be given more physical activities and should be given healthier diets to avoid this from happening. That way if they are bullied, they can take their anger out through sport and physical activity rather than eating their feelings out. People should pay more attention to children when they are overweight because they are more susceptible to being bullied at school.
Coming from a family with a history of high blood pressure and diabetes, I have grown seeing my family members struggle with their every-day life because of diabetes. They have to make certain sacrifices and accommodate their life with diabetes. Cambridge Core states that, “These results suggest that increased exposure to fast-food outlets is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity, which has implications for diabetes prevention at a public health level and for those granting planning permission to new fast-food outlets” (Cambridge Core). Around my neighborhood, the number of fast food restaurants have been increasing in the past couple of years. There is a number of a Mexican restaurants, McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Wendys, and Subway to name a few of these restaurants. There are no restaurants that promote a healthier lifestyle nor do any of these restaurants have much healthy options. The menu of these restaurants all have one thing in common which is all of them being fast food. Over the years I have noticed many of the habitants in the neighborhood have been growing in size, many of them are borderline obese, and I personally know many of them that have diabetes. Diabetes has taken many lives, and according to the American Diabetes Association they state that, “Diabetes remains the 7th leading cause of death in the United States in 2015, with 79,535 death certificates listing it as the underlying cause of death, and a total of 252,806 death certificates listing diabetes as an underlying or contributing cause of death “(ADA). With this being said, many people who have diabetes cannot enjoy every day activities compared to a person who lives a healthier lifestyle. Living a healthier lifestyle gives you many benefits and helps you live longer.
Many people who live a healthy lifestyle are less susceptible to being obese, have less of a risk to becoming depressed, and are less likely to have diabetes. According to Safefood.com, “A healthy lifestyle has both short and long-term health benefits. Long term, eating a balanced diet, taking regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can add years to your life and reduce the risk of certain diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and obesity. In the short-term it can also make you feel and look your best, give you more energy and help you maintain a healthy weight “(Safefood). My brother has always told me, “Look good, feel good,” and that has helped me to realize that a healthier lifestyle is definitely more beneficial because I do want to live longer, and I want to be 60 years old and still do the things that I love without struggling.
Fast food can be a good thing but in moderation. Many people should choose a healthier lifestyle because it is more beneficial to the mind, body, and soul. If people would realize that they can be happier by eating healthier, that they do not have to worry about being depressed because of their binge eating on fast food, and if they knew all the negative effects that fast food has on your body, they would know and would choose a healthier lifestyle. I have chosen a healthier lifestyle and I have seen many of the benefits personally. Diabetes will be diminished to a lower number because of healthier options. Obesity will have a lower percentage if people would realize how much their body is affected. Depression will have less of an impact on the United States if people would pay more attention to their children’s’ eating habits.